The Built Environment Marketing Show: marketing strategies and tactics for architects and engineers

Hosted by Ayo Abbas, Marketing Consultant

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Episodes

109

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

The Built Environment Marketing Show is an independent podcast hosted by marketing consultant and content creator Ayo Abbas. It is unashamedly about marketing for architects and engineers, as well as bringing forward voices that we don't ordinarily get to hear. Each episode shares useful hints and tips from a built environment marketing context, and the experts on the show know not just marketing but marketing that works for architects and engineers. To me that's the most important part, the context and the relevance. The show is a mix of interviews and solo thoughts on different approaches that could be applied to engineering marketing or architecture marketing for your business, now. Key themes covered: - Digital marketing for engineers and architects - Social media for engineers and architects - Instagram marketing for engineers and architects - Websites and online marketing - Marketing strategy for engineers and architects Hosted by award-winning marketing consultant Ayo Abbas from Abbas Marketing.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 12, 202612 min

What to do when things don't go quite to plan with Ayo Abbas

The Built Environment Marketing Show hosted by Ayo Abbas, strategic marketing consultant from Abbas Marketing. Book an intro call with AyoToday's episode is all about what actually happens when things go sideways midway through marketing execution? In this episode, I get honest about two moments where marketing didn't go to plan — a content cliché bingo card for a campaign that was derailed by Wi-Fi not working and a bid submission that never arrived thanks to an incident......Both carry real lessons about margins of error, adaptability, and how constraints often spark the best creative thinking. If you've ever had to pivot fast and figure it out on the fly, this one's for you.Resources Content Cliche Bingo Interactive AppAbbas MarketingAbout the showThe Built Environment Marketing Show is a show that is unashamedly about marketing for architects and engineers, as well as bringing forward voices that we don't always get to hear.Ways you can support this show Donate to help cover the costs for making this show📲 Share about the show on socials🔗 Follow us on Apple or Spotify📝 Leave us a review on Apple or Spotify💬 Tell a friend about the show who you think will benefit.

May 15, 202626 min

101 Episodes In: My Honest Reflections on Built Environment Marketing with Ayo Abbas

Episode 101 of The Built Environment Marketing Show is a solo milestone, a chance to reflect, celebrate and take stock of six years of conversations about marketing in one of the most complex, overlooked sectors in business.Ayo Abbas shares what 101 episodes, 20,000+ downloads and 70+ guests have taught her about the state of built environment marketing in 2026, and what separates the firms who are winning from those watching their pipelines dry up.She covers four defining themes:the real role of AI in your marketing toolkitwhy brand has finally overtaken portfolio as the key differentiatorthe industry's persistent failure to value marketing talentwhat the LinkedIn algorithm shift actually means for how you show up.This one's for anyone who's ever had to justify a marketing budget, fight for headcount, or convince a partner that the work doesn't just speak for itself.Resources DOWNLOAD - 101 practical ideas to get more from events checklistAbbas MarketingBarbour ABI - The Case for Marketing Investment in the Built EnvironmentPrevious episode linksMace with Danielle Regan and Dave Hendy Episode 23 Part 1 and Part IIRachel Bell and Rob Sargent, Stride Treglown- Episode 1 Rick Robinson - Episode 6Magnus Strom - Episode 25Tristram Carfrae - Arup Episode 47About the showThe Built Environment Marketing Show is a show that is unashamedly about marketing for architects and engineers, as well as bringing forward voices that we don't always get to hear.Ways you can support this show Donate to help cover the costs for making this show📲 Share about the show on socials🔗 Follow us on Apple or Spotify📝 Leave us a review on Apple or Spotify💬 Tell a friend about the show who you think will benefit.

April 24, 202655 min

Getting ready for UKREiiF 2026 with Nathan Spencer

Today's episode of the podcast features Nathan Spencer, MD of UKREiiF which is taking place at the Royal Armouries in Leeds from May 19 - May 21.We talk through:What's happening at the event this year including must see sessionsHow to navigate the programme and events so you reach your business goalsHow to manage your marketing and BD approach so you get the biggest bang for your buck.Resources DOWNLOAD - 101 practical ideas to get more from events checklistUKREiiFAbbas MarketingAbout the showThe Built Environment Marketing Show is a show that is unashamedly about marketing for architects and engineers, as well as bringing forward voices that we don't always get to hear.Ways you can support this show Donate to help cover the costs for making this show📲 Share about the show on socials🔗 Follow us on Apple or Spotify📝 Leave us a review on Apple or Spotify💬 Tell a friend about the show who you think will benefit.

April 10, 202625 min

The seven deadly sins of built environment comms with Aceil Haddad, Lisa Levy and Ayo Abbas

What does it look like when comms professionals get fed up of seeing the same mistakes and decide to do something about it? That's exactly how the BE Comms Collective was born.In this episode, I’m joined by Aceil Haddad (founder of Matt PR) and Lisa Levy (independent comms consultant) to introduce the BE Comms Collective, a group of senior strategic communications specialists tackling the chronic comms failures they see across built environment organisations.Together we break down the seven deadly sins of built environment communications: from missing the bigger picture to a lack of crisis preparedness, short-term thinking to leadership that fails to listen.We also introduce a free diagnostic tool that helps organisational leaders identify which comms challenges are most pressing which you can access here https://www.matt-pr.com/get-diagnosed, and we explain how the Collective brings the right senior expertise to each brief.If your organisation is navigating major infrastructure, stakeholder engagement, or reputation management, this one's for you.About the showThe Built Environment Marketing Show is a show that is unashamedly about marketing for architects and engineers, as well as bringing forward voices that we don't always get to hear.Ways you can support this show Donate to help cover the costs for making this show📲 Share about the show on socials🔗 Follow us on Apple or Spotify📝 Leave us a review on Apple or Spotify💬 Tell a friend about the show who you think will benefit.

March 20, 202612 min

"I'm just not seeing your stuff on LinkedIn" with Ayo Abbas

Welcome back to The Built Environment Marketing Show hosted by me Ayo Abbas.In this solo episode, I share real data from my own LinkedIn performance (impressions down 17%, engagement up 19%), unpacs how the new 360Brew algorithm is changing the rules, and explain why passive scrolling is quietly killing your reach. If you've been wondering why fewer people seem to be seeing your content, or whose content you've stopped seeing, this episode gives you the answers and a clear action plan.Key takeawaysLinkedIn organic reach is declining across the boardEngagement now matters more than reachBeing connected no longer guarantees visibilityHashtags are losing their role as content signalsComments can outperform standalone posts.Resources and linksBEMS roundup episode from end of 2025Reports on the 360Brew algorithmLinkedIn Post Performance Tracker and/or training ayo@abbasmarketing.comAbout the showThe Built Environment Marketing Show is a show that is unashamedly about marketing for architects and engineers, as well as bringing forward voices that we don't always get to hear.Ways you can support this show Donate to help cover the costs for making this show📲 Share about the show on socials🔗 Follow us on Apple or Spotify📝 Leave us a review on Apple or Spotify💬 Tell a friend about the show who you think will benefit.

March 6, 202631 min

25 Years on: what's really changed in construction marketing

Welcome back to The Built Environment Marketing Show hosted by me Ayo Abbas.To mark me working for 25 years in the construction industry, this epsiode is an interview with my very first boss, Anna Hern from Ridgemount. Together we chart the evolution of construction marketing: from the old PR vs advertising divide, through the explosion of digital channels, to the AI era we're now navigating.Anna brings sharp, no-nonsense realness on what great clients look like, why strategy is still misunderstood, how digital measurement changed everything, and the counter-intuitive case for investing in your brand hardest when the market is at its toughest.Key takeawaysWhat great clients do differently (and strategy vs tactics)Trust, AI, and the role of media / gatekeepersExpectations, complexity, and measurement in modern marketingFuture-facing skills: brand building, critical thinking, and using AI wellResources and linksAyo Abbas on LinkedInAbbas Marketing websiteRidgemount agency websiteAnna Hern on LinkedIn Contact Ayo: ayo@abbasmarketing.comAbout the showThe Built Environment Marketing Show is hosted by marketing consultant and content creator Ayo Abbas from Abbas Marketing. It is a show that is unashamedly about marketing for architects and engineers, as well as bringing forward voices that we don't always get to hear.Ways you can support this show Donate to help cover the costs for making this show📲 Share about the show on socials🔗 Follow us on Apple or Spotify📝 Leave us a review on Apple or Spotify💬 Tell a friend about the show who you think will benefit.

February 20, 202613 min

Are you networking in the right rooms? with Ayo Abbas

Welcome back to The Built Environment Marketing Show hosted by me Ayo Abbas.Most built environment firms know networking matters but are they actually in the right rooms? In this solo episode, I share a real decision I had to make between two events on the same day, and why choosing the less familiar option led to two potential project conversations by the time I got home.This episode looks at why strategic networking has to match your positioning and what happens when it doesn't.If you're an architect, engineer, or consultant spending time going to events that aren't converting, this one's for you.Key takeawaysYour networking strategy should directly reflect your positioningBeing 'out there' isn't enough. Visibility only counts when you're visible to the right peopleMost firms are spending the majority of their networking time with competitorsStrategic networking comes down to three things happening at once: the right decision makers, at the right time, in the right contextThe firms winning better work at better fees go to fewer events — but they make each one count. Focus beats volume every time.About the showThe Built Environment Marketing Show is hosted by marketing consultant and content creator Ayo Abbas from Abbas Marketing. It is a show that is unashamedly about marketing for architects and engineers, as well as bringing forward voices that we don't always get to hear.Ways you can support this show Donate to help cover the costs for making this show📲 Share about the show on socials🔗 Follow us on Apple or Spotify📝 Leave us a review on Apple or Spotify💬 Tell a friend about the show who you think will benefit.

January 30, 202618 min

Lost in translation: UK–US AEC marketing, AI, and business growth tips with Keelin Cox

Welcome back to The Built Environment Marketing Show hosted by me Ayo Abbas.In this special crossover episode with Keelin Cox from The AEC Marketer podcast. In this episode we're talking about what's really happening with AI in marketing (spoiler: quantity is up, quality is questionable), why AEC marketers still aren't getting the strategic recognition they deserve, and what UK firms need to know before attempting to crack the US market.This is a rare behind-the-scenes conversation between two marketers who've spent their careers proving that marketing in the built environment is far more than just proposals and pretty pictures.This is part II of the episode where I'm interviewing Keelin and if you want to check out part 1 where Keelin interviews me on her show head here http://aecmarketeer.fireside.fm/141Key takeawaysHow to use AI as a strategic tool rather than a content crutch - and why the difference matters for qualityWhy marketers need to speak the language of business: KPIs, win rates, and bottom-line impactThe critical mistake most firms make when they think "marketing" means "proposals person"What UK AEC firms must understand about US state licensing, office requirements, and regional differences before expandingHow to translate your strategic value into terms that leadership actually understands and respectsThe game-changing mindset shift: clients aren't buying your time, they're buying your 20+ years of expertiseAbout the showThe Built Environment Marketing Show is hosted by marketing consultant and content creator Ayo Abbas from Abbas Marketing. It is a show that is unashamedly about marketing for architects and engineers, as well as bringing forward voices that we don't always get to hear.Ways you can support this show Donate to help cover the costs for making this show📲 Share about the show on socials🔗 Follow us on Apple or Spotify📝 Leave us a review on Apple or Spotify💬 Tell a friend about the show who you think will benefit.

January 16, 202610 min

Communicating your value: lessons learned from 25 years in marketing

This month is the 25th anniversary of podcast host Ayo Abbas starting work in the construction sector so she shares some lessons she's learned about the importance of articulating value that will help you whether you work in-house or elsewhere.Key takeawaysWhy you must understand that clients aren't buying your timeIdentify your unique value proposition and share it via real-world examplesApply the 3-step Value Framework:The importance of articulating your value clearly to avoid the "race to the bottom"Why you need to own who you are and stop apologisingResources and linksAbbas MarketingAbout the showThe Built Environment Marketing Show is hosted by marketing consultant and content creator Ayo Abbas from Abbas Marketing. It is a show that is unashamedly about marketing for architects and engineers, as well as bringing forward voices that we don't always get to hear.Ways you can support this show📲 Share about the show on socials🔗 Follow us on Apple or Spotify📝 Leave us a review on Apple or Spotify💬 Tell a friend about the show who you think will benefit.iiXlDJoqObIMMcYPE4od

December 19, 202521 min

2025 reflections and a nod to '26

Today's episode is a veritable ride around The Built Environment Marketing Show podcast in 2025 in our End of year reflections and predictions.It's one where I round up and share the main facts and figures for how this show has performed, who has been on, the topics we've covered and where I'm planning to take the show in 2026.Thanks so much for listening to the show and to everyone who has taken time out this year to contribute to the podcast. It's really appreciated.Resources and linksAbbas MarketingAbout the showThe Built Environment Marketing Show is hosted by marketing consultant and content creator Ayo Abbas from Abbas Marketing. It is a show that is unashamedly about marketing for architects and engineers, as well as bringing forward voices that we don't always get to hear.BOOK A CALL TO TALK ABOUT WORKING WITH ME IN 2026Ways you can support this show📲 Share about the show on socials🔗 Follow us on Apple or Spotify📝 Leave us a review on Apple or Spotify💬 Tell a friend about the show who you think will benefit.Episodes in 2025Ep 92: AI in marketing: The good, the bad, and the realityEp 91: Why marketing funnels don't work for B2B and what to do insteadEp 90: Lessons learned from 5 years of podcastingEp 89: Using spoken communication to build confidence and authority with Tom CoupeEp 88: Architecture and construction industry awards from three perspectivesEp 87: How to bring 'boring' industries to life with Michelle Garrett and Ayo AbbasEp 86: Making the most out of your time at UKREiiF, part II, with Nathan Spencer, Jeremy Brim and Ayo AbbasEp 85: Making the most out of your time at UKREiiF, part I, with Nathan Spencer, Jeremy Brim and Ayo AbbasEp 84: Reframing sustainability and climate communications - Part 2, with Rosie Cade and Brigitte ClementsEp 83: Reframing sustainability and climate communications with Rosie Cade and Brigitte ClementsEp 82: We’re back for 2025